Monsoon For Kids: Tips, Causes, And Facts

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The onset of the monsoon season provides much-needed relief from the scorching heat of the summer and a chance to puddle hop. However, monsoon for kids is not all rainbows and sunshine as the waters bring along a ton of bacteria and viruses, resulting in water and air-borne infections. The season lasts for several months, and the monsoon winds bringing the season into play have a much stronger effect than normal winds. Also, they cover a larger area. This season is mainly associated with the Indian Ocean, and the onset of heavy rainfall on the Indian subcontinent marks its beginning. Did you know that the term monsoon was derived from the Arabic word ‘mauseum,’ meaning season (1)? In other words, the monsoon depicts the change in the wind patterns that bring rain. Read on for more interesting facts and figures about the monsoon season, and read a few tips on keeping your child healthy during the rains.

What Causes Monsoon?

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Monsoon is caused due to the difference in temperature between the land breezes and the ocean breezes. During the summer, the land gets extremely hot, and the air above the land becomes warmer than the air in the surrounding ocean. This creates a low-pressure area above the land. Meanwhile, as the surrounding ocean remains at a lower temperature than the land, the air above it retains a higher pressure.

Since the wind blows from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas, the cold and moist winds from the high-pressure areas on the ocean blow towards the low-pressure area above the land, causing rains between June and September in the Indian subcontinent (2).

Experts say

In the coming decades, monsoon regions may experience increased rainfall due to climatic changes caused by greenhouse gas emissions (7).

Ways To Keep Kids Healthy During Monsoon

The monsoon season puts children’s health at risk since the air- and water-borne diseases increase. Here are a few practices to keep children healthy during the monsoon.

1. Give them home-cooked, healthy food

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It is recommended that children consume a balanced and healthy diet. Keep them away from junk and unhealthy food and include seasonal fruits and vegetables in their meals. You could also include immunity-boosting foods such as honey, basil, ginger, and lemon to their diet and prevent them from eating street food.

2. Include physical activity

It is crucial for children to stay active by involving in different physical activities. You can have them enrolled for virtual yoga classes, dance classes, or workout sessions to make sure they stay active.

3. Avoid uncooked and cold food

During the monsoon season, try to consume hot and cooked food to reduce the risk of contracting water-borne diseases.

Quick tip

Unhygienic conditions in monsoons may result in frequent stomach infections. Hence, cleaning hands and using washed utensils is necessary to prevent harmful germs.

4. Wear loose cotton clothes

Our clothing should always complement the season. During the humid and wet monsoon, stick to loose cotton clothing. Cotton is a breathable and comfortable fabric that does not cause skin irritation.

5. Maintain personal hygiene

It is vital to teach your children about personal hygiene for kids and methods to keep their surroundings clean. Make sure that you train children to wash their hands after they have been outside playing in the mud and puddles, as it reduces the risk of diseases. Make them wash their hands before every meal and also after it. Inculcate this habit from the initial years.

6. Stay safe from mosquitoes

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Mosquitoes are one of the carriers of diseases during monsoon. Therefore, remember to close the windows and doors in the evening and use mosquito nets or repellents to protect children from mosquitoes.

7. Switch to boiled water

To have better protection from water-borne diseases, switching to boiled water is a wise decision. Make sure your children drink only boiled water during this season.

Do remember

Take a shower with lukewarm water instead of cold to prevent the common cold and cough during the monsoon weather.

Monsoon Facts For Kids

Have a look at some fun and interesting monsoon facts for kids that the young minds will enjoy reading (3) (4) (5) (6).

1. Monsoon showers contribute to 80% to 90% of annual rainfall in the Indian subcontinent.
2. If the monsoon-dependent areas do not receive rains, it can lead to drought and famine.
3. Approximately 500,000 lightning strikes take place every monsoon.
   

   Image: Shutterstock

4. Only about 33% of the Indian crops grow on irrigated land, and the rest are dependent on the monsoon rain.
5. The range of monsoon storms varies from small dust storms to violent and disastrous thunderstorms.
6. The monsoon season officially starts on June 1 and ends on September 30 every year.
7. In Europe, the monsoon is called the “Return of the Westerlies.”
8. Arizona receives approximately 32% of its total yearly rainfall during the monsoon.
9. The first official monsoon forecast in India was made in 1886.
10. An estimated 68% of India is prone to drought in varying degrees.
    

    Image: Shutterstock

11. Various South Asian countries, West African countries, Australia, North American countries, and European countries depend upon monsoon rains for their livelihood.

Quick fact

From 2005 to 2015, Terengganu, a state in Malaysia, hosted the Monsoon Cup, an annual international yachting race.

Infographic: Fascinating Facts About Monsoon For Children

The monsoon begins when we bid farewell to the sweltering summer heat and usher in raindrops and a cloudy sky. Monsoon is often a season of celebration for children as they enjoy dancing in the rain. The infographic below presents interesting facts about the monsoon, making the season even more endearing for children.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Fun Facts Definition And Causes Of Monsoon For Kids

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Explaining about monsoons in the form of stories is the best way to incite your child’s curiosity. This video explains different monsoon facts through storytelling.

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